What is an essential step when communicating with a person who is deaf?

When communicating with a person who is deaf, facing the individual and speaking slowly and clearly is vital for several reasons. It enables lip-reading, which many deaf individuals rely on to understand speech. By facing them, you ensure that they can see your mouth movements, facial expressions, and gestures, which are all important cues in communication. Speaking slowly and clearly enhances the chances of effective understanding.

In contrast, speaking quickly may make it more difficult for someone to read your lips or catch key facial expressions. Ignoring a deaf person until they can hear you is not only dismissive but denies them the opportunity for effective communication. Relying solely on written communication could be limiting, as not all deaf individuals are comfortable with reading and writing skills to the same extent. Therefore, approaching communication with clear, direct speech while being mindful of non-verbal cues is the most effective method.